Historic Palm Cottage was built in 1895 and is a pristine example of tabby, a mortar made with seashells. This Victorian house was constructed by Walter N. Haldeman, publisher of the Louisville Courier-Journal. It became the winter residence of Haldeman's foremost editor, Henry Watterson, who won, in 1917, the Pulitzer Prize for journalism.

Four people owned Palm Cottage prior to the Historical Society's purchase. After Mr. Haldeman passed away it was sold to Walter O. Parmer in 1916. The Parmer's gave it the name Palm Cottage. After Mr. Parmer died, it was sold to George M. Hendrie of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1938. He promptly renamed it the Hamilton-Ontario-House. Lawrence and Alexandra Brown purchased Palm Cottage in 1945 and lived in it until Mrs. Brown passed away in 1978. While they were living there it was called the Brown House. When the Society purchased it in 1979, the name was changed back to Palm Cottage.

Water used by the house and its occupants came from a cistern located outside at the rear of the house. There is evidence of the kitchen once being detached from the main house. This was common in southern homes due to excessive heat that would be generated in the main house. Later, the kitchen was joined to the house by a pantry.

The Collier County Historical Society acquired Palm Cottage for its headquarters in 1978. The Cottage was listed with the National Registry of Historic Places in 1987. This Society aspires to assist, protect and preserve historic sites and structures.